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Colonoscopy Prep Tips that You Need to Know

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When it comes time to get a colonoscopy, it’ll be a no-brainer for me. I’m going to schedule one. I’m not 40 yet, but I’ve already had two mammograms. When I found out that my health insurance company paid for a mammogram each year but did not have any age requirement, I flashed my insurance card and signed the dotted line. I have four kids, and they depend on me to stay healthy so I can take care of them!

But just like anyone else, I get nervous when I have to have a new test or screening. I want to know how uncomfortable a procedure will be and how I should prepare for it. My favorite thing to do is to ask friends to share about their experience so I can benefit from their advice. Getting my first colonoscopy will be no different. Spare no details! Just tell me everything.

The Colon Cancer Alliance is a fantastic resource for all colon-related topics. One of my favorite pages is their Colonoscopy Prep Tips. Here are a few of the funny, practical tips that real people have shared to help people like you and me to have a positive colonoscopy experience and ease our anxiety.

One complaint that people have is how hungry they are on the prep day. Clear liquids are not very filling, so Glenda B. has this tip:

  • For supper, my husband heats up a can of chicken noodle soup and strains out the chicken and noodles. Tastes better than broth.

It might be a good idea for the rest of the family to go out to dinner on the night before your procedure. Nancy M. says:

  • Don’t let anybody cook anything. You can’t eat, and when you smell food, it makes you so hungry. 

Other people complain about the taste of the prep solution. Lynn B advises:

  • Mixing the Golytely with Orange Crystal light by the glass makes it so much more tolerable.

Prep solutions are meant to make you “go,” and it can take its toll on your derriere. Ashley H. says,

  • WET TOILET PAPER/BABY WIPES. Towards the end, your bum will be pretty sore. You will be happy to have some on hand. 

More advice for sore bottoms from Shanna B:

  • Diaper rash ointment!! You will get pretty sore. Use it right from the beginning and you will prevent the pain! 

Amy Jo E. has a great sense of humor and gives this suggestion:

  • Oh, don’t forget to “write” a nice note on your tush to surprise your doc. Hilarious!

Don’t let jitters keep you from getting a colonoscopy. By talking to friends about their colonoscopies, you can glean many prep tips from their experiences so that you can be confident and informed for your first procedure. Remember, it’s just one day of your life, but the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience. You can do this, and so can I! I’m not saying that I am looking forward to my first colonoscopy, but when it’s time, I will be armed with plenty of tips and suggestions to put to good use!

Position Matters for Polyp Detection!

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What is your favorite sleeping position? Are you a back sleeper, side sleeper or belly sleeper? Researchers have analyzed sleeping positions for years to determine what position delivers the best breathing, quality rest and pain relief. Side sleepers comprise the largest group, according to a study by the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service in London, equaling almost 41 percent of men and women. Side sleeping offers some of the best health benefits like minimizing back and hip pain and even reducing snoring (Source: Spry Living).

Did you know that there is a best position for a colonoscopy? A study published in the September 2015 issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy found that when patients were positioned on their left side while the right side of their colons were examined, there was a higher polyp detection rate.

The study examined 130 patients between the ages of 40 and 80 who had a diagnostic colonoscopy between March 2012 and February 2014. Patients were placed in the supine position (on their backs) for the exam, followed by repositioning to their left side to examine the right side of the colon, or to their right side to examine the left side of the colon.

The data was clear that when patients were positioned on their left side, more polyps were detected compared to when they were in supine position. For patients who were positioned on the right, polyp detection rates were similar to rates when they were in supine position.

Why would the body’s position affect the polyp detection rate of the doctor? The authors of the study point out that changing position of the body could make certain portions of the colon more clearly visible and allow for optimal viewing. Even though the newly detected polyps were small, a physician may recommend more frequent colonoscopies in the future. Subsequently, the colonoscopy becomes an even stronger examination for surveillance and colon cancer prevention (Source: Outpatient Surgery).

What are Colon Polyps?

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Colon cancer affects 1 in 20 Americans, and it all begins with a tiny polyp. Small clumps of cells, called polyps, begin to form on the lining of the colon. Usually, these cells are benign, but many polyps can develop into cancer if they are not removed. If left to develop, colon polyps can advance into colon cancer and spread throughout the body.

Although most cases of colon cancer occur in individuals above the age of 50, anyone at any age can develop a polyp. There are specific risk factors that increase the risk for developing polyps. Some of these risk factors are:

  • Family history of colon cancer
  • Personal history of colon polyps
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Age—over 50 years of age

There are three types of colon polyps:

  1. Adenomatous. About 66 percent of all polyps are adenomatous. Only a small percentage of polyps become cancerous, but most all malignant polyps are adenomatous.
  2. Serrated. These polyps may become cancerous depending on their size and location in the colon.
  3. Inflammatory. These polyps may result from a flare-up of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. People who have these two types of IBD are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer someday.

One of the most important facts to remember about colon polyps is that they do not cause pain. Most often, colon polyps do not have any associated symptoms, so it is important to have regular colon screenings. If everything goes smoothly at your colonoscopy, you will not have to worry about scheduling another procedure for ten years! If you have not scheduled a colonoscopy and you are due for a screening, you can Find a Screening Center near you today!

Benefits of Probiotics After a Colonoscopy

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The purpose of a bowel cleanse is to completely empty your intestines to allow your gastroenterologist to get a clear view of the lining of your colon. A colonoscopy can detect precancerous polyps and lesions while they are still treatable. If allowed to grow, benign polyps may become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body, so it is important to prepare thoroughly.

There are many benefits to a colon cleanse. Getting rid of toxins and harmful bacteria that have made themselves at home in your colon is a welcome side effect. However, there are some drawbacks to an empty colon as well. Our intestines contain billions of beneficial bacteria, often known as gut flora, that naturally neutralize toxins, discourage bad yeast, stimulate digestion and help boost immunity. A colon cleanse can wipe out the healthy and the unhealthy microbes, so you may want to consider taking probiotics after a colonoscopy. Probiotics can help rebuild colonies of beneficial gut flora to help your intestines reestablish the balance of your digestive system (Source: Livestrong).

Here are a few steps that you can take to gently and naturally replenish your gut flora through probiotics:

  1. Eat yogurt and kefir that is high in probiotics for several days after your colonoscopy. Make sure that the label says that there are billions of live cultures contained.
  2. Take a probiotic supplement in the morning on an empty stomach. Talk to your doctor before choosing a probiotic so he or she can give you the best recommendation.
  3. Eat a diet rich in prebiotics. These are foods like fruits, vegetables, oats and whole grains that are high in fiber and feed probiotic bacteria.
  4. Avoid processed foods, wheat products, sugar, hydrogenated fats, alcohol and high fructose corn syrup for several days after your colonoscopy. These foods promote the growth of harmful organisms in the body that compete with healthy gut flora.

Tips for Colonoscopy Prep for Diabetics

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There are over 29 million diabetics in the United States, and the number is steadily increasing. Every year, thousands of diabetics schedule colonoscopies. If you have diabetes, a colonoscopy prep can be challenging because it means missing meals or changing your eating schedule. Therefore, it is especially important to monitor your blood sugar throughout the prep period.

Here are some tips for a successful prep that is compatible with a diabetic menu:

On the day before your colonoscopy, you should aim for 45 grams of carbohydrates at meals and 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates for snacks. You have several options for clear liquids that have no carbohydrates. Some of these choices include fat-free broth or bullion, clear diet soda, coffee, tea (unsweetened or diet), seltzer and flavored water.

You can have clear liquids that do contain carbohydrates but you need to monitor the amount. Use this as a guide:

  • 4 oz. apple juice— 15 grams
  • 4 oz. white grape juice— 15 grams
  • 8 oz. Gatorade— 14 grams
  • ½ cup Jell-O (regular, sweetened)—15 grams
  • Orange popsicle (read the label)—15 grams
  • Italian ice (read the label)— 30 grams
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (for coffee or tea)— 4 grams

Here is a sample menu for your prep day

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Apple or white grape juice— 1 cup Broth— ¾ cup Broth— ¾ cup
Regular sweetened gelatin— 1 cup Italian ice— ½ cup Strained fruit juice— 1 cup
Tea with lemon Regular sweetened gelatin— ½ cup Regular sweetened gelatin— ½ cup
Tea with lemon Tea with lemon

On the day of the colonoscopy

  1. Bring your glucose meter, test strips and low blood glucose treatment with you on the day of your procedure.
  2. Schedule the appointment for early in the day so that you can eat as soon as possible and take your medication.
  3. Resume your normal medication schedule.

Free Colonoscopy Prep Advice!

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Don’t you just love free advice? Everyone has an opinion and wants to share it. Marriage advice. Legal advice. Parenting advice. There’s never a shortage of free, unsolicited advice and much of it is totally useless. Well, take heart. Here is some free advice that is worth its weight in gold. The Colon Cancer Alliance compiled a list of free advice about colonoscopy prep and you are the lucky recipient!

Maybe you are getting ready for your very first colonoscopy and you feel nervous or unprepared. Maybe your first colonoscopy prep was a little rough and you would like to have a few more tricks up your sleeve this time around. Or maybe it’s not even time for your baseline colonoscopy, but you just want to read as much as you can so you are ready when your special day arrives! Whatever your reason might be, just enjoy reaping the benefits of someone else’s colonoscopy prep experiences. Here is a little teaser of the complete list from the Colon Cancer Alliance:

 

The Day Before the Prep

  1. Eat a large breakfast, small lunch and tiny dinner. The prep day will be so much easier.
  2. Stop eating meat at least five days before the procedure.
  3. Go to liquids-only diet at least three days before the prep.
  4. Write a nice note on your tush to surprise your doc.

On Drinking the Prep

  1. Drink it cold. Chase it with cold water.
  2. Don’t mix [the prep] with your favorite drink flavor because you may always associate that flavor with the prep.
  3. Use a straw to drink any prep…It goes down faster and you don’t really taste it.
  4. Gummy bears dissolve at body temperature to a clear liquid so they are okay to take with the prep and give you something to eat.
  5. Stick the prepared prep in the freezer for an hour or two before you drink it.

During the Prep

  1. WET TOILET PAPER/BABY WIPES. Towards the end, your bum will be pretty sore.
  2. Don’t let anybody cook anything. You can’t eat, and when you smell food, it makes you so hungry.
  3. Just drink the prep while on the toilet… you’ll be there for a while!
  4. Softest toilet paper money can buy!
  5. Laughter with a friend (whether via phone or in person) during the whole prep! Makes it so much easier!
  6. Ice, pinch my nose and lots of Preparation H.

 

Make sure to visit the Colon Cancer Alliance’s 27 Insider Tips and Tricks for Colonoscopy Prep to read more helpful and humorous insight on how to get ready for your colonoscopy. The best part is that all advice is FREE!

Six Reasons Why You Should Schedule Your Colonoscopy During the Holidays this Year

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The holidays are coming. Finally! It’s time to think about turkey, football, gift giving, decorating and a colonoscopy. Wait, one of these items don’t seem to fit the theme… or does it? A colonoscopy may not be what you might think of during this season, but the holidays are a perfect time for a colon screening. You may think that scheduling a colon screening may interfere with your family plans or your holiday schedule, but it may not be as inconvenient as you may think. Here are a few reasons that the holidays are actually the best time to schedule your colon screening:

  1. Most people have a day or two before and/or after a holiday. Some people will take a few days off around a holiday. You will have to miss at least one day of work for your colonoscopy. Why not schedule your procedure when you will not have to go to work the following day? Sometimes a day before or after a holiday might actually work in your favor.
  2. Your husband, wife, family member or friend may be off work as well. You will need a caregiver to drive you home from your colonoscopy because the sedation medication will still be in your system. Scheduling your colonoscopy around the holidays may prevent you and your caregiver from taking extra days off work.
  3. On your bowel prep day, there will be plenty of holiday movies to keep you entertained while you spend quality time in your pajamas near the bathroom.
  4. Holiday foods will taste even better after you have had your procedure!
  5. You will have lots of support from your friends and family who may be visiting during the holidays.
  6. Since it is the end of the year, you may have met your health care deductible. You may have very little financial responsibility for your colonoscopy, or it may be fully covered.

End the year with a commitment to good health. Scheduling a colonoscopy around the holidays will be one of the best decisions you can make. Do not delay in making your appointment, as doctors also like to take time off as well! Call your insurance provider to ask about your colonoscopy screening benefits and inquire about what your out-of-pocket cost will be. Then, you will be ready to schedule your procedure. Happy Holidays and Happy Colonoscopy!

Adding Some Fun to the Clear, Liquid Diet

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The most important action that you can take as you get ready for your colonoscopy is to follow your doctor’s recommendations exactly. One of the greatest causes for error in a colonoscopy is inadequate bowel preparation. If your bowel is not thoroughly cleansed, your gastroenterologist may miss polyps or lesions. This leads to repeated procedures and higher out-of-pocket costs.

No one likes the idea of being on a clear, liquid diet. Clear liquids are far from interesting and they don’t satisfy hunger. They should be reserved for those recovering from the flu, not someone in good health who is about to have a colon screening!

Unfortunately, a bowel preparation really does require a clear, liquid diet. Yet, do not just conclude that clear liquids just mean water. You have some choices in the type of clear liquids that you can choose. Clear liquids are defined as liquids that you can see through. When a clear liquid is in a container, the container can be seen through the liquid (Source: GBM).

Find a Gastroenterologist

Maybe clear liquids are not what you may be craving, but you have more variety than you probably think. Here are some ideas to add to your list of clear liquids as you prepare for the big day:<

NOTE: It is important that you do not have any red, orange, blue or purple dye in any of your liquids. This can interfere with the colonoscopy and dye your intestines.

  • Clear, carbonated drinks like ginger ale, 7-Up or Sprite
  • Black coffee and hot tea (no cream)
  • Jell-O or gelatin without fruit
  • Fruit juices
  • Powder drink mixes added to water
  • Hard candy that is transparent
  • Fat-free broth (vegetable, chicken or beef) or consommé
  • Popsicles (make sure they are dairy free)
  • Italian ice

Here are a few tips:

  • Learn to like lemon-lime. Yellow and green are “yes” colors when it comes to a colonoscopy, so choose lemon-lime Jell-O, Gatorade and hard candy.
  • Drink lots of soda. Carbonation makes you feel full. Try some soda that you rarely drink, like root beer. It will make you feel like a kid again.
  • Try eating cold Jell-O, then hot broth. Supposedly, this fills you up. The warm liquid expands the gelatin in your stomach and presto! Your tummy is not growling anymore!
  • Try to find interesting popsicle flavors like banana, green apple, or pineapple. The most popular flavors of popsicles are grape, cherry and orange—all no-no colors!

Five Most Commonly Used Bowel Preps and What You Have to Do for Each

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It’s time to have your colonoscopy. You’ve made your appointment, and now it’s time to start thinking of the details like diet and choosing a bowel prep kit. There are many choices of colon flushes, but which one should you choose?

There are about five bowel preps that are the most common at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), but they are all different in chemical composition and how they specifically stimulate the colon. Whichever prep you choose, you will follow the same diet of clear liquids including plain coffee and tea, broths, clear juices, Jell-O and popsicles. Remember that you may not have anything with red, blue or purple food coloring because the dye can appear on a colonoscopy as blood. It is important that you read all the literature and instructions that your doctor gives you because if you do not follow the regimen correctly, you may have to repeat your bowel cleanse and your colonoscopy (Source: Gastro Endo News).

Here is a brief description of the most commonly used preps and what you have to do for each one:

High-Volume Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

  • Common names: Golytely, Colyte, Nulytely and Trilyte
  • What makes it work? PEG is electrolyte-based. It will force out all contents of the bowel by introducing large amounts of volume into the colon (about four liters). The night before your colonoscopy, you will drink eight ounces of the solution every 10 minutes until bowel contents are clear or the solution is consumed.
  • Cons: PEGs taste salty and unpleasant. Some people complain of nausea and cramping.

Low-volume Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

  • Common names: Moviprep
  • What makes it work? Moviprep requires you to consume two liters of PEG and one liter of a liquid of your choice instead of four liters of PEG
  • Cons: Unpleasant taste, which may cause nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting. If you take any medication that increases your risk of blood salt abnormalities, you should consult your physician.

Oral Sulfate Solution. Low volume, split-dose

  • Common name: Suprep
  • What makes it work? You consume a six-ounce bottle the night before your colonoscopy and a six-ounce bottle the day of your colonoscopy
  • Cons: May cause in increase in uric acid, a concern for those with renal trouble. May also cause pain, vomiting, nausea.

Laxatives—magnesium citrate or bisacodyl

  • Common name: Halflytely
  • What makes it work? Taking either laxative with two liters of PEG, or just magnesium citrate, will be sufficient to flush your colon
  • Cons: May cause cramping, discomfort, nausea

Sodium picosulfate/magnesiumoxide/citric acid solution

  • Common names: Osmoprep and Visicol
  • What makes it work? These tablets are taken in two separate doses, on the evening before and the morning of the procedure. You will drink 10 ounces of prep and 64 ounces of any other clear liquid.
  • Cons: May cause bloating, pain and nausea

Choosing the correct bowel prep for you is important for you to have a successful colonoscopy. A safe preparation of the bowel needs to be individual for each patient, based on his or her age, medical history and potential drug interactions. If you have a preferred prep, please inform your doctor. However, if you are advised to use a different method, you should follow directions exactly. A thorough colon flush is the most important part of your colonoscopy, so follow the prep that your doctor recommends. Take a few moments to read some of our other resources like “5 Tips to Conquer the Colonoscopy Prep” and “Your Guide to an Easy Prep.”

Quiz: What Age Should You Get a Colonoscopy?

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Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States for men and women, and the risk of developing colon cancer is about 1 in 20. These statistics should make all of us pay attention. It is very clear that anyone can be affected by colon cancer, and the best way to prevent colon cancer is through regular screenings. But do you know at what age you should start getting screened for colon cancer?

The age at which you should get your colonoscopy is sometimes known as your “colonoscopy age.” Adults who are at average risk for colon cancer should have a baseline colonoscopy at the age of 50 and every 10 years thereafter if the colonoscopy is clear, but age 50 is not the magic number for all people.

There are several risk factors that make some individuals more prone to colon cancer and therefore lower their colonoscopy age. For example:

  • Being of African American descent is one risk factor that lowers colonoscopy age.
    African Americans should be screened for colon cancer at age 45 because of higher incidence of colon cancer.
  • Having a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps.
    About 5 to 10 percent of colon cancers are genetically linked. Therefore, someone who has a family history of colon cancer is more likely to have inherited the cancer gene than a person who has no family history of colorectal cancer.
  • Having a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) with colon cancer or polyps puts you at higher risk.
    The rule of thumb is that if any first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, you should be screened 10 years before the youngest case in the immediate family. For example, if your mother was diagnosed at age 45 with colon cancer, you should have your first screening at age 35. Recent studies are showing that family history plays a more important role than previously thought.

Although age 50 is the suggested age for a baseline colonoscopy, talk to your doctor about what age is right for you. Don’t wait until age 50 to start asking questions. Especially if you are in a high-risk category, make an appointment to discuss options and timing. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, but it requires you to be proactive in your own health care.

In fact, when caught early, more than 90 percent of patients with early stage colon cancer survive longer than five years. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for cancer screening. Although there are several types of screening methods such as flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema and fecal occult blood test, the colonoscopy is the most comprehensive test available and is the only one that can not only detect but prevent cancer.